Stereo Microscope for SMT Construction

[shadders]

Hi,

I started to build my own SMT PCB's which had standard type components also - i purchased the usual cheap Loupe's and Magnifying goggles - some were expensive with replacement lenses to increase magnification.

In the end due to these not being suitable i purchased a Stereo Microscope. This with the relevant lenses had a magnification of 40x - LED light also. It was the long arm version - ideal for this type of work.

This was definitely a worthy purchase as is was very easy to then manually solder SMT components to the PCB.

The company i used were Brunel Microscopes :

http://www.brunelmicroscopes.co.uk/

Model was BM1 Longarm Stereomicroscope - £174.77 but with additional lenses increases price - but still good value for money. Build quality is excellent- imported from China i think - and arrives in a plywood protective box for storage also.

I am awaiting response from Elektor on the latest version of the Reflow Oven - so this stereo microscope will be useful for the placing components also.

Regards,

Richard.

[vincent_himpe]

i use the microscopes from AMscope ( they are actually russian made , built like a tank , but very stable. There is a table clamp avaialble with a long boom arm as well )

http://www.amscope.com/Stereo-BoomStand-3.html

If you really want something userfriendly : nothing beats a vision-engineering Mantis. Unfortunately these things are very pricey, even 20 year old used ones on ebay... I got mine at a surplus auction for 100$.. including the super long working distance lenses. sometimes you get lucky.